BEND, OR -- Dr. Knute Buehler, who is running for Oregon Governor against incumbent Kate Brown, says Brown's tenure has been a series of missed opportunities, deference to special interests, and lack of transparency.

Buehler says this most recent session was a stark example of Brown's lack of leadership. "The last legislative session, I would really sum up as missed opportunities and misplaced priorities. People didn't want to make the hard decisions. So, it was disappointing to me that we didn't see the leadership from the Governor ... she wasn't around, she wasn't engaged ... and I think, just not acceptable. The people of Oregon deserve better than that."

According to Buehler, Oregon has record high revenue, and the funds could've been used to solve problems for residents who are living paycheck-to-paycheck, so he shared his goals for the office with KBND, emphasizing his desire to see Oregonians prosper. "My purpose is helping the people of Oregon. There's too many people who have fallen behind and have been left out, and I think it's important for our leaders to keep that in mind. That's who we really should be working for, those people who are struggling on a daily basis."

Buehler believes, with him in the Governor's office, an atmosphere can be created where people get back to achieving based on their own merits. "We used to have a much prouder history. I grew up here. Even a blue collar kid, if you worked hard and played by the rules, you would really show no limitation on what you can achieve, and we need to get back to those days in Oregon."

Dr. Knute Buehler calls Governor Kate Brown's leadership 'political theatre,' and says his run is a referendum on her performance. Provided they each earn their party's nomination, Buehler and Brown will face off on November 6, 2018.

According to Buehler, Governor Brown's time in office has been all 'chaos, corruption, and incompetence' as she shows a lack of leadership in fundamental areas like improving the budget, education reform, and solving problems with Portland's air quality and lead-tainted water.

Buehler says that what Oregon lacks is independent leadership and he says there's only one way the disenfranchised can make a difference in their situations. "It's our time to be the change we want in Oregon. I encourage them to join the Buehler team and try to put the State back on a better course, a course that we can all be proud of, and we can take care of those people who are feeling left out and left behind."

Buehler says Oregon is facing big problems and Governor Brown has shown no interest in making tough decisions. Buehler won his election to represent District 54 in the Oregon House in 2014.